Humanizing Online STEM Showcase
Carlos Perez, Instructor, Cuyamaca College.
This site provides examples of instructional resources created in the Humanizing Online STEM Academy, a professional development program funded by the California Education Learning Lab and administered by the Foothill DeAnza Community College District.
Reflections
Where I was.
Prior to attending this professional development course, I was unaware of how to incorporate visual and sound cues that foster kindness and a sense of belonging in my courses. These cues are crucial for developing a DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) framework that supports success for traditionally underrepresented groups. Based on my personal experience, redesigning and evolving courses to include these elements has been a difficult journey over the past two years. However, thanks to this training, the integration of visual and sound cues in my courses is poised to become a reality sooner than anticipated.
Where I am.
Undoubtedly, the skills and competencies acquired in this course have significantly enhanced my ability to dismantle the structural barriers that exacerbate outcome disparities for traditionally underrepresented groups. The knowledge gained has equipped me with the necessary tools to refine a framework aimed at boosting student success. I am now tenfold more motivated and keen to integrate cues that promote kindness and cultivate a sense of belonging within my courses. The value of these cues, as taught in this course, is immeasurably profound.
Where I am going.
To infinity and Beyond! I feel fully equipped to further evolve my courses into exemplars of DEIA-focused student success. This summer, I'm set to weave humanizing elements throughout all my courses, with a special focus on online and Hyflex formats. In this initial phase, my goal is to close the achievement gap affecting traditionally underrepresented groups by the end of fall 2024. I am hopeful that we will witness concrete progress.
Liquid Syllabus
The liquid syllabus I've designed serves as an early exploration platform for students, enabling them to familiarize themselves with the course's core elements before it commences. It offers a streamlined version of the syllabus, highlighting key strategies for success and a preview of the first week's activities. By sharing insights into my personal and professional background along with my teaching philosophy, I aim to initiate the trust-building process with my students. The inclusion of a course pact and various support links in the syllabus underscores my commitment to their educational experience right from the start.
Course Card
I believe this is the pinnacle of achievement. Capturing a moment where students from traditionally underrepresented groups engage in teamwork, collaboration, and celebration during the Education Flight Week of the Reduced Gravity Office's Minority University Research Education Program at CalPoly.
Homepage
A homepage that greets visitors with a warm welcome, promising an inclusive and respectful learning environment that appreciates the unique backgrounds and viewpoints of all students. Furthermore, it emphasizes the commitment to meet individual learning requirements and actively invites feedback to improve the inclusivity and efficacy of the course.
Getting to Know You Survey
I aim to be a supportive instructor, assisting students throughout their journey in the course. To achieve this, I conduct a survey at the start to gather information that enables me to support their individual goals and learning needs effectively. My goal is to help them either define or refine their own definition of success.
Wisdom Wall
The Wisdom Wall features a compilation of "learning stories" from previous students, shared with the current class. By engaging with these narratives, present students realize that encountering challenges is a common part of the learning journey. They gain insights into effective strategies for success, as articulated by their predecessors. This initiative promotes a sense of community by linking students through shared experiences and underscores the concept of ability as an evolving attribute, rather than an innate trait.
Bumper Video
This video is designed to assist students in acquiring a new skill required for one of their capstone team projects. It kicks off with an energetic and motivational youth video clip to invigorate the students. Following this, it seamlessly transitions into a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to download a specific subset of data from a vast global dataset available on the United Nations website.
Microlecture
This microlecture is specifically crafted to empower students with the ability to analyze DC circuits through the application of Ohm's Law (SLO).
Recognized as the cornerstone of the entire course, Ohm's Law is essential for students to master, as it lays the foundation for the analysis of various types of circuits. By fully understanding and applying Ohm's Law, students will unlock the ability to navigate and dissect the complexities of circuit analysis with confidence.
The aim of this microlecture is not just to introduce Ohm's Law as a theoretical concept but to provide students with the tools and knowledge to apply it practically in real-world scenarios.